3-Day South America Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-day South America tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaSouth America travel expert at TourRadar

• 3 Days in Atacama & Uyuni, incl. San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni Salt Flats

  Desert landscapes unfold from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, visiting 8 major sites including Green Lagoon, Dali Desert, and Sol de Mañana geysers. View three colored lagoons, photograph Siloli Desert's rock formations, and capture sunrise at vast Uyuni Salt Flats.

  

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  • Day 1

    San Pedro de Atacama to Bolivian Altiplano

    Arrive in San Pedro the night before your 6:30 AM departure. This is important for altitude adjustment since the tour reaches 4,400m. After crossing the border you'll switch to 4WD vehicles with 6 people per jeep. Visit Green Lagoon and Laguna Blanca near the impressive Licancabur volcano which stands at 6,000m. At Sol de Mañana geysers stay at least 2 meters from the 150-200°C mud pots and bring a bandana for the sulfur smell. Your day ends at Red Lagoon watching three species of flamingos. A previous visitor shared: "We were usually the first ones at each location, which made a huge difference for photos – especially at the lagoons before other tours arrived."

    
  • Day 2

    Siloli Desert and Salt Hotels

    Start at 8 AM to explore the Siloli Desert at 4,550m, the highest and driest desert in the world. The early light makes for stunning photos of wind-carved rocks, including the well-known "Stone Tree." You'll visit several colored lagoons (Honda, Chiarcota and Cañapa) before reaching Chiguana Salt Flat. Your night will be spent in a salt hotel. The rooms are basic but comfortable. Pack plenty of warm clothes since desert nights are very cold even in summer. The high altitude affects most people so take it slow and drink lots of water.

    
  • Day 3

    Uyuni Salt Flats to Uyuni Town

    Leave at 8 AM to catch the salt flats in perfect morning light. Visit Incahuasi (Fish Island) where you'll see giant cacti growing on old coral formations. The bright white salt surface is ideal for fun perspective photos. Bring props if you want to take creative shots. The tour stops at Colchani village to see local salt mining before ending in Uyuni around 3 PM. You'll need strong sun protection including a hat and sunglasses. The salt's reflection is powerful even on overcast days. Bring cash for border fees (15 Bolivianos) and park entrance (186 Bolivianos).

    

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• 3 Day Bolivia Salt Flats Itinerary, incl. Uyuni and Atacama Desert

  Salt flat adventures stretch across South America's largest expanse, visiting 3 cities including Uyuni and San Pedro de Atacama. Visit 12+ major sites from Train Cemetery to Laguna Verde, with 2 nights' accommodation and 8 meals included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Uyuni to Colchani Salt Flats

    Start at 10 AM with a visit to the Train Cemetery in Uyuni. Get there before the tour groups for better photos. Next stop is Colchani village to see traditional salt processing. You'll spend the afternoon on the vast salt flats. As one visitor shared: "The endless white expanse is mind-bending - make sure to bring props for perspective photos, they're a must-do here." You'll spend the night in a salt hotel with shared facilities. Remember to fully charge your cameras since the salt's minerals can drain batteries quickly.

    
  • Day 2

    Altiplano Lagoons and Desert

    Start with breakfast at 7:30 AM before a full day exploring at high altitude (13,000+ feet). You'll see the active Ollague volcano and several colored lagoons where three flamingo species live. The drive through Siloli Desert gets rough, so consider motion sickness pills. Later you'll visit the Stone Tree and the stunning Red Lagoon. Tonight's basic accommodation is at Laguna Colorada. Pack warm clothing since nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing.

    
  • Day 3

    Geysers to Atacama

    Leave at 5 AM to see the Sol de Mañana geysers at peak activity. After visiting the Green Lagoon, you'll head to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. The border crossing takes about 90 minutes. You'll reach San Pedro's main square around noon. Since the altitude change is significant, you might want to stay an extra night before continuing your journey.

    

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• 3 Days in Iguazu Falls, incl. Argentine and Brazilian Sides

  Natural wonders await across both sides of Iguazu Falls during this three-day expedition. Visit Devil's Throat canyon, ride the ecological train, and trek through virgin rainforest, with optional boat rides and 4x4 adventures available across two countries.

  

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  • Day 1

    Buenos Aires to Iguazu

    Take an early morning flight from Buenos Aires to maximize your first day. The flight takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Book flights that land before 2 PM to give yourself time to check in and possibly catch sunset from your hotel. Your hotel might be on either the Argentine or Brazilian side, so keep your passport handy.

    
  • Day 2

    Argentine Side of Iguazu Falls

    Get to the park by 8 AM to avoid crowds and the midday heat. The Argentine side needs more time since it has extensive walking trails. Take the ecological train to Devil's Throat first while the morning mist creates perfect photo conditions. Plan about 2-3 hours each for the upper and lower circuits. The walkways get slippery from water spray, so wear shoes with good grip. If you want to try the Great Adventure boat ride, do it in the mid-afternoon when you're already wet from exploring.

    
  • Day 3

    Brazilian Side and Departure

    Visit the Brazilian side on your last day. It offers wide-open views and takes less time to explore. Start around 9 AM to have enough time before your afternoon flight. You'll need about 2 hours to walk the main path properly. The viewpoints get very wet from spray, so protect your phone with a waterproof case. If you have an evening flight, visit the Parque das Aves near the park entrance. It's a good backup plan if morning fog delays your falls viewing.

    

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